Community Holds Flash Mob to Bring Attention to Attacks on Health Care and Education
Kingston, NY — Citizen Action of New York’s Hudson Valley Chapter partnered with Bryant “Drew” Andrews of the Center for Creative Education to hold a “Thriller”-inspired flash mob and speak out session in front of HealthAlliance Hospital Broadway Campus. Children marched with music to celebrate the defeat of the Graham-Cassidy bill and engage members of the community on issues ranging from health care to education.
Organizers used the flash mob to bring attention to the ongoing health care crisis in Congress. The latest ACA repeal bill, Graham-Cassidy, was projected to cut $3.5 trillion in federal health care funding over the next twenty years. Local leaders urged an end to the repeal efforts and the recognition of health care as a human right.
“Thanks to Susan Collins and John McCain for having the good conscience to oppose this dreadful bill. We can do better. We must do better. Taking care of our most basic needs is what our tax dollars are supposed to be for. It is our right,” said actress and director Mary Stuart Masterson. “All Americans deserve to be treated with dignity. Whether you are poor, black, brown, disabled, no matter who you love or worship. If we are ever to be a truly United States, we need to be united on health care for all Americans.”
“The ‘Thriller’ flash mob is true ‘arts with a purpose’ at work! Developing socially conscious leaders and advocates through the arts,” said Bryant “Drew” Andrews, Executive Director of CCE.
Republican lawmakers continue to push for a repeal of the Affordable Care Act, despite strong public support for many of its provisions, such as protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions.
Callie Jayne, organizer for Citizen Action of New York’s Hudson Valley Chapter, said: “Everyday people need to stand up and fight back against the cruel attempts to cut our health care, cut our education, and deport our immigrant neighbors. John Faso should be standing with us, but instead he’s chosen to side with the billionaire class, who are looking for an easy tax break, regardless of the human cost.
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